RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) — Virginians will soon be able to legally purchase recreational marijuana, ending years of what many described as a confusing system that allowed adults to possess and grow cannabis but not legally buy it.
As part of the new state budget, Virginia lawmakers approved a legal retail cannabis market. Sales are expected to begin July 1, 2027.
Adults 21 and older will be able to purchase recreational marijuana from licensed retailers without needing a medical cannabis card. The state plans to begin accepting business license applications in 2026, with retail stores opening in phases.
What changes under the new law?
The legislation makes several major changes to Virginia’s cannabis laws, including:
- Adults 21 and older can legally buy recreational marijuana from licensed retailers beginning July 1, 2027.
- The legal possession limit increases from one ounce to two ounces.
- Up to 350 licensed retail stores will be allowed statewide.
- Virginians can continue growing up to four marijuana plants at home for personal use.
- The state’s medical cannabis program will continue operating for registered patients.
SEE ALSO: Virginia nears legal retail cannabis market, with sales proposed to start in 2027
Jennifer Bailey, founder of Homegrown 4 Heroes and owner of The Happy Veteran in Lynchburg, said the new law provides a legal alternative to what she calls today’s “gray market.” She said she helps serve more than 7,000 veterans and their families who deserve trustworthy, safe access.
“A lot of people don’t trust the dispensaries, and the dispensaries are pretty overpriced,” Bailey said. “I’m hoping that with us being able to have retail cannabis now, we will have more home-like small craft cannabis operators that take a lot more pride in their product, to care about what we as consumers are putting into our system. Testing and just having the safe access, a lot more testing, and a lot more people who actually know how to explain terpene profiles of how cannabinoids work, and educating the consumer, versus, ‘Hey, there you go, this is what we think would work.’ I’m hoping that this is just going to take out all of the guesswork in any of this.”
Bailey said she’s excited to see Virginia’s cannabis industry continue to grow.
“I can’t wait to see all my friends win in this industry and become something that we all worked hard for, for five plus years,” she said.
Regulated products and safety standards
Under the new law, marijuana sold in Virginia stores must come from state-licensed growers and will be tracked throughout the supply chain before reaching consumers, through ‘seed-to-sale’ tracking.
SEE ALSO: June budget deadline may decide whether Virginia gets a cannabis market or delays again
“It means that a regulator has insight at every step of the process. It means that a wholesale or a manufacturer, if they know that they have an issue with the product, they can pinpoint exactly who they sold it to and make sure the right people know,” Ngiste Abebe with Virginia NORML said.
Abebe said the legal market could help replace unregulated products currently being sold.
Virginians are tired of having their communities filled with these unregulated gas station products that are popping up in communities,” Abebe said.
Jamie Patten with the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority said reducing the illicit market is one of the state’s primary goals.
“It’s important to really get a handle on the illicit market, limit as much as possible product that’s not tested,” Patten said.
Cannabis products sold through licensed retailers will be tested for pesticides, heavy metals, mold, contaminants and potency. Products will also be required to have standardized labeling.
SEE ALSO: Virginia marijuana retail bill awaits Spanberger’s call as May deadline looms
Gov. Abigail Spanberger said public safety and consumer protection were priorities during negotiations.
“My priorities as we went through these negotiations were relative to public safety, public health, and ensuring that people know what it is that they are buying through testing and through labeling,” Spanberger said.
How much tax revenue could the industry generate?
Virginia will impose a 6% cannabis tax in addition to the state’s 5.3% sales tax.
State officials estimate the legal cannabis industry could generate about $51 million during its first year.
According to the state, revenue will be directed toward:
- Public and early childhood education
- Substance use disorder programs
- The Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund
- Public health initiatives
SEE ALSO: Spanberger asks Virginia lawmakers to delay recreational marijuana sales until July 2027
“The community is benefiting from the sales because tax revenue is being reinvested,” Abebe said.
What remains illegal?
Despite the expansion of legal cannabis access, several restrictions remain in place.
We do need rules of the road for this marketplace,” Spanberger said.
Public marijuana use will continue to be illegal. The civil penalty for public consumption increases from $25 to $250.
People younger than 21 who are caught possessing marijuana will face a civil penalty and be required to complete a substance abuse education or treatment program.
What’s next?
The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority is now working to develop regulations governing the new retail market and is seeking public input during the rulemaking process.
“We really want to develop thoughtful regulations that protect Virginians,” Patten said. “We want to support public health and create a well-regulated market, and so hearing from people who will be affected is important.”
You can submit your input by filling out the CCA’s survey, just click here.
Although recreational sales won’t begin until July 1, 2027, Virginians will still be allowed to grow up to four marijuana plants at home for personal use, and the state’s medical cannabis program will continue serving registered patients.